RIP Dick Butkus

[Brock Landers]

Illinois Hall of Famer Dick Butkus passes away at age 80, according to JPA Football and TMZ Sports. Butkus is regarded as one of the best linebackers to ever play the game of football.

Butkus played for the Illini from 1962-1964, where he was a three time All-American, even getting a statue put up in front of the Illini Smith Center.

The Chicago native played linebacker for the Chicago Bears from 1965-1973. Butkus was invited to eight Pro Bowls and was a six time first-team All-Pro. He was recognized twice as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.

 

[samsncharge99]

Wow!! Was this a surprise or was there reports of health declining?

rIP. Damn

 

[seaborneq]

Wow. Unreal. I had not heard anything about him of late. Bears will cover now.

 

[DiggityDaggityDo]

 

[flyingillini]

Very very sad huge loss.

 

[Brock Landers]

Wow!! Was this a surprise or was there reports of health declining?

rIP. Damn

Died in his sleep

 

[jjgold]

Tremendous player
Media guy too

 

[Brock Landers]

https://x.com/TheRealOJ32/status/1710069107243000130?t=jKBWq-cbIrlnQoz4WXkgvQ&s=08

 

[Bcatswin]

He was a bad mofo. Played the game a different way. Nasty guy. Also commentated and I believe he was an actor at one point

 

[carolinakid]

RIP

 

[BigJay]

Surprised he only played 9 years. 50 years after he last played he’s still the gold standard at middle linebacker.

Pretty amazing the Bears had a run of Butkus, Singletary and Urlacher

 

[Brock Landers]

Surprised he only played 9 years. 50 years after he last played he’s still the gold standard at middle linebacker.

Pretty amazing the Bears had a run of Butkus, Singletary and Urlacher

All his teams were bad too with the Bears

 

[Wagerallsports]

God bless his family & friends

 

[harpo]

R.I.P. DB

 

[flyingillini]

Surprised he only played 9 years. 50 years after he last played he’s still the gold standard at middle linebacker.

Pretty amazing the Bears had a run of Butkus, Singletary and Urlacher

He paved the way for the Illini and their linebacker tradition, him and Nitschke. RIP to a great !